The BWT Alpine F1 Team has been struggling massively throughout the 2025 season. They are dead last on the Constructors’ table right now, with only 19 points. The Enstone-based team managed to build a decent car with the A525, but it looks to be no match compared to the other teams.
Pierre Gasly, the team’s lead driver, has only managed to finish in the points thrice so far. Considering the team’s struggles, and failure to choose a suitable second driver, Alpine have been reportedly aiming to pair Gasly up with another experienced driver in Valtteri Bottas.
Pierre Gasly sends Alpine a clear message about potential Valterri Bottas signing
Although Bottas is still under contract with Mercedes, there is no expectation for them to reject his move to another team. He is currently a test driver for the Silver Arrows, and has been linked with a move to Cadillac as well for next year.
🚨| BREAKING: Franco Colapinto to replace Jack Doohan from Imola for the next five races!#F1 #AlpineF1 pic.twitter.com/LiwQ2SrllU
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) May 7, 2025
Alpine’s need to add an appropriate second driver is increasing. Jack Doohan failed to make any noticeable impact for the team up until the Miami Grand Prix. The team replaced Doohan after six rounds of the 2025 season and zero points on the scoreboard.
Franco Colapinto replaced Doohan in Alpine’s desperate mid-season move. The Argentine driver has failed to make an impact as well, just like Doohan. He has not scored a point in six races, including a DNS at Silverstone. His best finish so far has been 13th at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Bottas comes with plenty of experience with Mercedes during their glory days. He is a 10-time race winner but Gasly doesn’t seem too happy about it, as indicated by his stern message recently.
When asked if another experienced driver could be useful, the Frenchman said, “I don’t think that’s the case. I think it’s a lot of noise. I think the car, I’m showing every weekend what we can do with it, doing a very good job on Saturdays and putting it in places that on paper we all agree we should not really be.”
Gasly also mentioned that Alpine are at the back of the midfield and the focus should be on improving the team’s performances with the resources they have now. His comments about Bottas’ potential arrival can also be taken as an indication that he’s not up for the move.
Gasly issues harsh reality check to Alpine
The former Italian GP winner also didn’t mince any words about where the team currently stands and their limited options for the rest of the season.
“It’s going to be a long season. We don’t have upgrades, the car is not in the best place, but all of us need to focus on what we’ve got to do and try and do it the best way that we can,” he added.
Throughout every round, Gasly has been pretty vocal about how bad the car is. He has been making the best out of it and it speaks volumes about his ability as a driver too. But what Alpine need right now is a second driver to step up, be it Colapinto or another driver looking for an opportunity.
What Franco Colapinto Needs to Do to Secure a Full-Time Seat With Alpine
Tyre-management has been pretty tough for both drivers with the A525, as well as the power-unit. In addition to that, the improvements by Aston Martin and Haas mean that Alpine are left behind.
Alpine will continue to rely on Gasly’s experience to pull off the impossible with their current car, but that may be too much pressure for his teammate. There is a possibility that Alpine continue to explore other options in the market, if they’re desperate about salvaging the 2025 season.
